Sometimes the word "revisionist" can mean something good. In the case of Tim Jeal's magnificent biography of Henry Morton Stanley we have an example of revisionist biography at its absolute best. Drawing on his vast expertise to do with 19th century European affairs in sub-Saharan Africa, and with unprecedented access to new documents, Jeal completely reverses more than 100 years of characterization of Stanley as an evil, racist, imperialist. Jeal is meticulous in making his case and in the process he presents us with the remarkable story of a fellow who both deserves our respect (at times our admiration) and to a great degree our sympathy. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION

"A magnificent new life . . . [and] a superb adventure story. . . . There have been many biographies of Stanley, but Jeal's is the most felicitous, the best informed, the most complete and readable and exhaustive, profiting from his access to an immense new trove of Stanley material." -- Paul Theroux, front page, New York Times Book Review

 

Henry Morton Stanley, so the tale goes, was a cruel imperialist who connived with King Leopold II of Belgium in horrific crimes against the people of the Congo. He also conducted the most legendary celebrity interview in history, opening with, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

 

But these perceptions are not quite true, Tim Jeal shows in this grand and colorful biography. With unprecedented access to previously closed Stanley family archives, Jeal reveals the amazing extent to which Stanley’s public career and intimate life have been misunderstood and undervalued. Jeal recovers the reality of Stanley’s life—a life of almost impossible extremes—in this moving story of tragedy, adventure, disappointment, and success.

 

Few have started life as disadvantaged as Stanley. Rejected by both parents and consigned to a Welsh workhouse, he emigrated to America as a penniless eighteen-year-old. Jeal vividly re-creates Stanley’s rise to success, his friendships and romantic relationships, and his  life-changing decision to assume an American identity. Stanley’s epic but  unfairly forgotten African journeys are thrillingly described, establishing  the explorer as the greatest to set foot on the continent. Few biographies can claim so thoroughly to reappraise a reputation; few portray a more extraordinary historical figure.

 

"Tim Jeal has written a great book-shrewd, perceptive and engaging."-Jane Ridley, Sunday Telegraph

"There have been many biographies of Stanley, but Jeal''s is the most felicitous, the best informed, the most complete and readable and exhaustive. . . In its progress from workhouse to mud hut to baronial mansion, it is like the most vivid sort of Victorian novel. . ."-Paul Theroux, front page, New York Times Book Review

"[T]his commanding, definitive biography . . . is an unalloyed triumph."-Jason Roberts, Washington Post Book World

"[An] impressive, revealing, and well written biography. . . . [Jeal] adds new layers to his subject''s character."-David Gilmour, New York Review of Books

Winner of the 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography

Tim Jeal is the author of two previous biographies, Livingstone and Baden-Powell: Founder of the Boy Scouts, both published by Yale University Press and both chosen as Notable Books of the Year by the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Imprint: Yale University Press
Distributor: Yale University Press
Publication Date: 09-28-2007
Pages: 608
Measurements: 9.25in X 6.13in X 1.63in X 2.20lb